On the occasion of the signing of a joint political declaration between the African Peoples’ Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) and the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA) on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Abidjan-Cocody, former president Laurent Gbagbo made strong remarks against what he calls the abuses of the current government. This political alliance, described by Mr. Gbagbo as a republican front, aims to block any attempt at a fourth presidential term in the upcoming election.

In front of officials from both parties, Laurent Gbagbo did not mince his words. “If we do not allow others the opportunity to fight to also be in power, it is no longer democracy,” he declared, denouncing a seizure of power contrary to the principles of political pluralism for which he says he has fought his entire life.

Referring to the tense political context surrounding the third term of outgoing President Alassane Ouattara, Gbagbo continued, “I was not there for the 3rd term, but I will not abandon the fight against the 4th term,” thus affirming his intention not to remain silent in the face of what he describes as authoritarian drift.

Recalling his historic role in establishing multiparty democracy in Côte d’Ivoire in the early 1990s, the former head of state added, “I cannot remain silent in the face of the abuses of power after my fight for the creation of multiparty democracy in Côte d’Ivoire.”

The ceremony was also an opportunity for the PPA-CI and the PDCI-RDA to present the steering committee of the citizen movement called “Enough is Enough,” a political and social mobilization platform which, according to its founders, aims to unite forces opposed to a new candidacy by President Ouattara or any attempt to unlock constitutional barriers.